What following-distance rule does the North Carolina handbook teach?

The two-second rule. Allow two seconds between the car ahead passing a point and you reaching it.

On a 4-lane road with a center turn lane, a school bus stops. Who must stop?

Only traffic following the bus. In North Carolina, on roads of four or more lanes with a center turning lane, only traffic following the bus must stop.

In North Carolina, if the speed limit is 45 mph or more, how far ahead must you signal a turn?

At least 200 feet. Signal at least 100 feet before turning, and at least 200 feet when the limit is 45 mph or more.

In North Carolina, may a 17-year-old driver use a hands-free phone while driving?

No, drivers under 18 may not use a phone except to call 911. Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or related technology while driving, except 911 emergencies.

In North Carolina, you may not park within how many feet of the curb line of an intersecting street?

25 feet. NC bans parking within 25 feet of the curb line of an intersecting street.

In North Carolina, how many points within 3 years can get your license suspended?

12 points. Seven points may mean a driver improvement clinic; 12 points in three years may mean suspension.

With only one lane in your direction, you approach a stopped ambulance with lights on. What do you do in NC?

Slow down and pass at a reduced, safe speed. With one lane your way, slow down and drive at a reduced safe speed until past the vehicle.

North Carolina requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is...

400 feet or less. NC law requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and when visibility is 400 feet or less.

In North Carolina, how close to a fire hydrant may you park, at minimum?

15 feet. Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

In North Carolina, at least how far ahead must you signal before turning?

100 feet. Signal at least 100 feet before turning, or 200 feet if the speed limit is 45 mph or more.

State guides · North Carolina

North Carolina DMV written test guide

Everything you need to know about the written test in North Carolina, with the rules your state asks about and practice questions with answers.

Agency	North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), NC Department of Transportation
Official handbook	North Carolina Driver Handbook ↗
Questions	Not published
To pass	Not published by the state
Test in Spanish?	Yes

🗣️ English and Spanish (plus other languages). Official Spanish handbook available. NCDOT

Separate traffic signs test (identify signs by color and shape) and knowledge test (laws and safe driving). Official sources do not publish question count or passing score (third-party sites say 25 questions / 20 to pass, unconfirmed).

North Carolina rules you need to know

Alcohol, 21 and over: In North Carolina, drivers 21 and over may not drive with a BAC of 0.08% or more. Official source ↗
Alcohol, under 21: Drivers under 21 may not drive with any alcohol or drugs in their body; conviction means a 1-year revocation. Official source ↗
Following distance: The North Carolina handbook teaches the two-second rule for following distance. Official source ↗
High beams: Dim your high beams when meeting oncoming traffic and when following within 200 feet. Official source ↗
Turn signal: Signal at least 100 feet before turning, or 200 feet if the speed limit is 45 mph or more. Official source ↗
Fire hydrant: Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Official source ↗
Crosswalk: Do not park on a crosswalk or within 25 feet of the curb line of an intersecting street. Official source ↗
School bus: On roads of four or more lanes with a median or center turn lane, only traffic following the bus must stop. Official source ↗
Right on red: You may turn right on red after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it. Official source ↗
Left on red: North Carolina law does not allow left turns on red. Official source ↗
Cell phone: Texting while driving is banned for everyone, and drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all. Official source ↗
Move Over law: For a stopped emergency vehicle with lights on, move over a lane or slow down if you can't. Official source ↗
Permit age: You can get a Level 1 learner permit at 15 after completing driver education. Official source ↗

North Carolina test FAQ

How many questions are on the North Carolina written test?

North Carolina doesn't publish the number of questions or the passing score; ask your local office.

Can I take the North Carolina driver's test in Spanish?

Yes. North Carolina offers the written test in Spanish.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in North Carolina?

You can get a Level 1 learner permit at 15 after completing driver education.

What documents do I need for a permit in North Carolina?

It depends on your situation (identity, residency and Social Security number or an alternative). Check the official list from North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), NC Department of Transportation before you go.

Documents guide → · How to pass on the first try →

10 North Carolina practice questions

1. What following-distance rule does the North Carolina handbook teach?
1. The one-second rule
2. One car length per 5 mph
3. The four-second rule
4. The two-second rule
Show answer
Answer: The two-second rule
Allow two seconds between the car ahead passing a point and you reaching it.
Official source ↗
2. On a 4-lane road with a center turn lane, a school bus stops. Who must stop?
1. Only oncoming traffic
2. All traffic in both directions
3. No one, if no children are visible
4. Only traffic following the bus
Show answer
Answer: Only traffic following the bus
In North Carolina, on roads of four or more lanes with a center turning lane, only traffic following the bus must stop.
Official source ↗
3. In North Carolina, if the speed limit is 45 mph or more, how far ahead must you signal a turn?
1. At least 500 feet
2. At least 50 feet
3. At least 200 feet
4. At least 100 feet
Show answer
Answer: At least 200 feet
Signal at least 100 feet before turning, and at least 200 feet when the limit is 45 mph or more.
Official source ↗
4. In North Carolina, may a 17-year-old driver use a hands-free phone while driving?
1. No, drivers under 18 may not use a phone except to call 911
2. Yes, with an adult present
3. Yes, but only in town
4. Yes, if hands-free
Show answer
Answer: No, drivers under 18 may not use a phone except to call 911
Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or related technology while driving, except 911 emergencies.
Official source ↗
5. In North Carolina, you may not park within how many feet of the curb line of an intersecting street?
1. 25 feet
2. 20 feet
3. 15 feet
4. 30 feet
Show answer
Answer: 25 feet
NC bans parking within 25 feet of the curb line of an intersecting street.
Official source ↗
6. In North Carolina, how many points within 3 years can get your license suspended?
1. 12 points
2. 8 points
3. 15 points
4. 7 points
Show answer
Answer: 12 points
Seven points may mean a driver improvement clinic; 12 points in three years may mean suspension.
Official source ↗
7. With only one lane in your direction, you approach a stopped ambulance with lights on. What do you do in NC?
1. Cross into the oncoming lane
2. Slow down and pass at a reduced, safe speed
3. Keep your speed
4. Stop completely
Show answer
Answer: Slow down and pass at a reduced, safe speed
With one lane your way, slow down and drive at a reduced safe speed until past the vehicle.
Official source ↗
8. North Carolina requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is...
1. 1,000 feet or less
2. 200 feet or less
3. 100 feet or less
4. 400 feet or less
Show answer
Answer: 400 feet or less
NC law requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and when visibility is 400 feet or less.
Official source ↗
9. In North Carolina, how close to a fire hydrant may you park, at minimum?
1. 25 feet
2. 20 feet
3. 15 feet
4. 10 feet
Show answer
Answer: 15 feet
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Official source ↗
10. In North Carolina, at least how far ahead must you signal before turning?
1. 100 feet
2. 50 feet
3. 25 feet
4. 300 feet
Show answer
Answer: 100 feet
Signal at least 100 feet before turning, or 200 feet if the speed limit is 45 mph or more.
Official source ↗

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Facts checked against the official state handbook and website in October 2026. Rules change: always check the official handbook.